The Use of Synthetic, Nonabsorbable Graft for Middle Fossa Repair in Patients With Spontaneous Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak: A Pilot, Prospective Study.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of a nonabsorbable, synthetic graft for the reconstruction of spontaneous middle fossa (sMF) cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks.

Patients: Six adult patients (age ≥16 yr) who had sMF CSF leaks surgically repaired within an 18-month period at a single university hospital using synthetic, nonbiological, nonabsorbable graft (Neuro-Patch) and a retrospective control group of five patients undergoing multilayer MF repair with autologous grafts.

Interventions: MF repair through a combined transmastoid/MF approach using Neuro-Patch or multilayer autologous grafts.

Impact of Catheter-Drawn Blood Cultures on Patient Management: A Multicenter, Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: Nosocomial bloodstream infections associated with intravascular catheters pose significant financial burden, morbidity, and mortality. There is much debate about whether or not blood cultures should be drawn through central venous catheters, and while guidelines advocate for catheter-drawn cultures when catheter infection is suspected, there is variable practice in this regard.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study assessing episodes of positive catheter-drawn blood cultures with concomitant negative percutaneously-drawn cultures in tertiary care hospitals in the United States and Spain.

Effects of Seasonality and Pregnancy on Hair Loss and Regrowth in Rhesus Macaques.

Several studies have examined the etiology of alopecia, or hair loss, in rhesus macaques. While outcomes differ across studies, some commonalities have emerged. Females, particularly pregnant females, show more alopecia than males, and alopecia follows a seasonal pattern.